Author: Eminent Contributors
Editor(s): T S Saraswathi
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 402
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0761997695
Description
The cross-cultural study of human development as a distinct and coherent field of enquiry is only of recent origin. Yet, it has already had an important impact on mainstream psychology, particularly by giving voice to indigenous conceptualizations of human nature and by spear heading the search for a more global and inclusive psychology.
Written by some of the best known cross-cultural psychologists from around the world, the original essays gathered here deal variously with theoretical aspects, methodological alternatives, issues of social concern, and practical applications in contemporary psychology. Between them, they cover cultural psychology, cultural anthropology, evolutionary psychology and indigenous psychology.
In her introduction, the editor presents an over-arching view of contemporary schools of thought in human development and argues that it is both possible and desirable to promote meaningful interfaces between them so as to evolve a holistic perspective on human development. The essays that follow are divided into two sections: the first contains theoretical perspectives with some reference to methodological issues while the second covers research and application. In many cases, the authors draw upon and take forward work they have been doing for a long time; in others, new ideas and insights have been introduced.
Gathering together high quality conceptual work with diverse yet complementary perspectives, this rich and significant volume will be of considerable interest to students and scholars in the fields of cross-cultural psychology, developmental psychology, human development, cultural anthropology and early childhood education.
REVIEW
This volume makes a powerful contribution to the internationalization of life cycle psychology.
-Uwe P Gielen (from the Foreword)
Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART I: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
Ecocultural Perspective on Human Psychological Development
Wanted: A Contextualized Psychology: Plea for a Cultural Psych